BCCI Plans WPL Mega Auction in November; Some Franchises Oppose Full Revamp
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for a shake-up. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning a mega auction in November ahead of the 2026 season, marking the league’s first major reset since its launch in 2023.
All five franchises are now waiting for clarity on crucial details including the number of player retentions, auction purse, retention slabs, and Right-to-Match (RTM) card options. These will be finalised by the WPL committee, though no meeting date has been confirmed yet.
The upcoming season’s schedule is also under wraps, but it’s expected to stick to its usual January February window.
Teams Split Over Mega Auction
The league’s leading sides Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals are reportedly against the mega auction. They argue that they’ve spent three years carefully building their teams and that dismantling them now could disrupt the league’s growing stability.
On the other hand, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are in favour of the overhaul. Having missed the finals so far, they see the auction as a chance to rebuild and strengthen their squads.
What to Expect
If the WPL follows the IPL’s 2025 model, teams could be allowed to retain up to six players, including a mix of capped and uncapped Indian or overseas players.
Launched in 2023, the WPL has already transformed women’s cricket both in visibility and earnings. Viacom18 (now Jiostar) had earlier bagged the broadcast rights for ₹951 crore for 2023–2027, underlining the league’s massive potential.
With a possible mega auction on the horizon, fans can expect high drama, bold bids, and the start of a brand-new chapter in women’s cricket.
All five franchises are now waiting for clarity on crucial details including the number of player retentions, auction purse, retention slabs, and Right-to-Match (RTM) card options. These will be finalised by the WPL committee, though no meeting date has been confirmed yet.
The upcoming season’s schedule is also under wraps, but it’s expected to stick to its usual January February window.
Teams Split Over Mega Auction
The league’s leading sides Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals are reportedly against the mega auction. They argue that they’ve spent three years carefully building their teams and that dismantling them now could disrupt the league’s growing stability. On the other hand, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are in favour of the overhaul. Having missed the finals so far, they see the auction as a chance to rebuild and strengthen their squads.
What to Expect
If the WPL follows the IPL’s 2025 model, teams could be allowed to retain up to six players, including a mix of capped and uncapped Indian or overseas players. Launched in 2023, the WPL has already transformed women’s cricket both in visibility and earnings. Viacom18 (now Jiostar) had earlier bagged the broadcast rights for ₹951 crore for 2023–2027, underlining the league’s massive potential.
With a possible mega auction on the horizon, fans can expect high drama, bold bids, and the start of a brand-new chapter in women’s cricket.
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